My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Before she could even offer

cake is

and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake

on, Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake,

hearing that, the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said,

the

must close her eyes and make a

Rachel must blow out the

Julian that there was no need to go

unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t

she found a little girl who wasn’t

gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out to the

to say thank you!” their parents

icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the

the light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days.

Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and

so I might as well pretend

the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you have

and headed toward

she was inside her apartment and

the door was propped open

made

he out on business?

into the house and

“I see you’ve been

steps back. Why are you

pulled

you wouldn’t want me to

approached her, forcing her back

had no idea what she

staggered after him and was dragged